Lingering
A couple buys a haunted house and makes things worse by calling a psychic.
The narrative centers on Paul and Christy purchasing Croft House. They intend to leave their pasts behind. Christy deals with a dying abusive father. The house refuses to let them rest. Entities in the woods and the home itself signal danger. The couple seeks help from a local psychic. This decision triggers the main crisis. The entity they try to remove is only a precursor. The true horror emerges after the ritual. Coppel uses this structure to build suspense. The story does not rely on jump scares. It focuses on the psychological impact of isolation and fear. The setting plays a crucial role in the plot. The woods around Croft House are described as ominous. Yellow eyes observe the house from the darkness. This imagery establishes the tone early on. The book fits within the supernatural fiction category. It draws on classic haunted house tropes but adds a twist with the psychic element. The pacing allows readers to feel the growing dread. Coppel’s writing style supports this atmosphere.
Published in 2022 by Cranthorpe Millner Publishers, this work sits within the modern horror genre. It draws on gothic traditions of isolated estates and unseen watchers. The story reflects contemporary anxieties about trauma and new beginnings. Coppel’s approach aligns with current trends in supernatural fiction that emphasize psychological dread over physical violence.
📝 Description: Lingering
💎 Our verdict on Lingering
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers who appreciate slow-burn psychological terror and atmospheric gothic horror will find this book deeply rewarding. It offers a nuanced exploration of how grief and trauma create vulnerability to external threats, rather than relying on cheap jump scares or gore. The narrative focuses on the consequences of meddling with unknown forces, providing a tense examination of isolation. Those who enjoy stories where the setting acts as a character itself will appreciate the ominous woods and the sentient nature of Croft House. It is ideal for fans of domestic dread who prefer tension over action and unresolved ambiguity over clear resolutions.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Chris Coppel crafts a compelling narrative rooted in gothic traditions, focusing on psychological impact rather than visceral shock. The book excels in building suspense through the ominous setting of Croft House and the woods surrounding it. Yellow eyes watching from darkness establish an early tone of pervasive danger. The decision to hire a psychic serves as a critical turning point, triggering a crisis that reveals a force more dangerous than the original presence. This structure allows for a gradual accumulation of dread. The story suits readers who enjoy atmospheric horror and thematic depth regarding trauma. It avoids fast-paced action, opting instead for a solid entry into supernatural fiction that examines vulnerability and isolation effectively through its unsettling scenarios.
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✍️ More books by this author Chris Coppel
🏛 Books from this publisher Cranthorpe Millner Publishers
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